Jimmy Clausen or Jake Locker? Who Will Be The Next Seahawks QB
Disclaimer: My previous article about having Mike Teel as the QB meant as a tryout for this season. I am and have backed the idea of a rookie QB in 2010. I will for sure get lip but this disclaimer is for that fact.
Since 2001 Matt Hasselbeck has been quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks. In that span of time the Seahawks have had two head coaches, three GM’s and countless highs and lows during that time.
Hasselbeck has broken and set countless passing records in his eleven seasons in Seattle as well as a hand full of playoff records.
Some can make the argument that Hasselbeck is the most successful quarterback in Seahawks history, but definitely in the top three if nothing else.
But now it’s time to pass the red jersey onto someone else after the season is over.
So who will replace the great Matt Hasselbeck after this season?
Well Seneca Wallace, the long time second string quarterback for the Seahawks doesn’t seem to be “Jonny-on-the-spot”.
2009 sixth round pick, Mike Teel has only played in two PRE-SEASON games in his NFL career and so far the Seahawks coaching staff hasn’t shown the trust to start him despite the problems on offense this season.
So now it’s down to a player between free agency and the 2010 NFL Draft.
Well the most likely quarterbacks to be free agents this off season would be Redskins Jason Campbell and Eagles Michael Vick. Yea not exactly the best two quarterbacks to lead your pass heavy offense.
So the Seattle Seahawks will turn to the 2010 NFL Draft to find their replacement for Matt Hasselbeck, having two first round picks in the upcoming draft it makes it the best choice.
So who are the best possible quarterbacks that will be in the draft? Well let’s take a look.
Jimmy Clausen, Jr. Notre Dame
Jake Locker, Jr. Washington
Sam Bradford, Jr. Oklahoma
Colt McCoy, Sr. Texas
Tim Tebow, Sr. Florida
Those are the top five quarterbacks in the 2010 NFL Draft. Both Clausen and Locker are Jr’s so they have the option to go back to school.
For this topic we’ve narrowed it down to the two quarterbacks who fit best in the Seahawks system, Jake Locker and Jimmy Clausen.
Let’s take a look at each quarterback and then decide which is the most likely to become the next Seattle Seahawks starting QB.
Jake Locker:
With the addition of Steve Sarkisian at Washington, quarterback Jake Locker has thrived under his new pro style offense from Sark.
This has been Locker’s best statistical season at Washington with 14 TD’s, 9 INT’s, 2,203 yards passing, 181/321, 56 completion percentage and a 6.8 YPA.
Are they the world’s greatest stats? No, but stats aren’t everything.
On film, Locker has looked great and the key to his growth and continual growth is the fact that when he has the option to run he just moves around in the pocket and wait to make the right throw.
Locker has the great frame of a NFL QB at 6-3 226 lbs.
Locker also has another trait that he can always pull out of his pocket that only a hand full of quarterbacks can and that’s the ability to be a great runner as well as a passer.
He’s not like a white Michael Vick, he can throw in the pocket and on the run and it still has the same great success.
Locker is also probably in the top three in the draft in terms of best complete athlete, as well as the best pure athlete in the draft. For a QB that’s great news.
Added with the fact that he can run a 4.4 40 yard dash it makes Jake Locker the best QB heading into the 2010 NFL draft.
Jimmy Clausen:
If you want the best passing quarterback in the draft, look to further than Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen.
This season Clausen has thrown for 20 TD’s, 3 INT’s, 2,770 yards passing, 209/308, 67 completion percentage and an 8.9 YPA.
So the comparison between Locker is that Clausen is throwing QB, pocket, much like Tom Brady. Not saying Locker is not a throwing QB, but between the two Clausen is better.
Clausen also is an NFL framed QB at 6-3 223 lbs.
So for the Seahawks, if they don’t want to go with the athletic hometown boy and decide to go with the NFL prototypical QB in Clausen it will be because Locker is just use to being in a pass heavy offense.
FINAL DECISION:
For the future of the Seattle Seahawks organization, if it’s down to Jimmy Clausen and Jake Locker who do they go with?
The answer is…Jake Locker
For a couple of reasons, besides the fact that Locker is a Washington guy from UW, as is Jim Mora, he just fits what Mora and the Seahawks need.
A strong throwing QB, who can be a mobile QB if needed and create another play on his own unlike Matt Hasselbeck.
Plus Locker would add another dimension to the Seahawks offense and that’s the wildcat.
So the pick between Clausen and Locker would be Locker for the Seattle Seahawks.
Lars, I think you’re getting ahead of things here. What’s to say Hasselbeck can’t still be the starter for a few more years? If he’s healthy, he’s gold. He just needs a decent O-line and rushing attack, which he hasn’t had during his injury riddled last couple of seasons.
Well Hasselbeck was hurting into thursday and today with a shoulder injury and his old rib injury. So with a pass heavy (45-50 passes a game) offense, this version of Matt Hasselbeck doesnt fit anymore. The old Hassselbeck did in 07,06,05 etc.
Well any QB in Seattle needs the OL and a decent RB .
Really? are you kidding me. You can’t write at B/R any more and actually I get to go back, because I received support from the Seattle community, including Griffin. And you didn’t beat me, I beat you. I get to go back, you don’t.
And what’s the most depressing thing of all is you really needed B/R because your writing “gigs” never happened. No money.
Now really, get a life and the good thing is I have more amo against you with Dave. You are just a piece of work.
are you kidding me bett favre 40 hes playing amazing kurt warner 38 hes alright too, hasslbeck’s only 34 he has better things to come
Hasselbeck is on the down side of his career. Favre and Warner are 2 future HOF and hasselbeck isnt even close to that
Guys!!! Matt’s contract finishes at the end of next season. Regardless of if he can or will play for 4 years, that doesn’t mean that he will do it with a Seahawk uniform. We need need to prepare and groom a rookie QB just in case.
yes they need to draft a Qb
I agree that Matt Hasslebeck needs to go. Yes, he is a smart quarterback, but unfortunately he lacks toughness and is unable to create plays when needed. He would do just fine if he had solid brick wall to stand behind, but he doesn’t.If I’m not mistaken didn’t McNabb brake his ribs this year as well? He seems to be doing just fine.
Yea I agree, and the Seahawks just need a fresh start at QB as well. Yea McNabb had broken ribs, and so did Brady but they are both top in their game. Matt’s not.
Obviously Jimmy Clausen will have a better career when its all set and done because he comes from a program that prepared him well for the NFL…dont be surprised 4-5 years later down the road were talking about clausen being one of the top 5 signal callers in the game…Cannon arm,good decision maker, and most of all he is a winner and this is definately the guy that you want to build your franchise around…best Qb in this years draft…as for tim tebow he is mediocre and even though he supposebly switched his throwing motion he will be a bust…might as well switch to fullback already..the position best suited for him.
Dmoney: Well Clausen is the better pro ready QB coming from ND but even in 4-5 years I wouldn’t say he’s be in the top 5. I mean Big Ben is not in the top 5 and he’s won 2 super bowls.